While ignoramuses continue to deny we humans are changing the planet’s climate, folks with P&L responsibilities are calculating the cost of heat and heat-related injuries.
The direct cost of one “heat prostration” claim is about $38,000.
The average company has to generate $1.2 million in revenue to cover each heat prostration claim.
Want specifics?
Excessive heat also creates more injuries of all types…injuries to cherry harvesters in Washington State increase 1.5% for every 1 degree C above 25 C (77 degrees F) – mostly from falling off ladders.
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- compared to days with temps in the 60s,
- on days when the temperature was between 85 – 90 degrees Fahrenheit…the overall risk of ALL types of workplace injuries was 5 to 7 percent higher.
- when temps topped 100 degrees, the overall risk of injuries was 10 to 15 percent greater.
- compared to days with temps in the 60s,
OSHA has a very handy calculator employers can use to estimate their costs – especially useful for the half of the country broiling under record temps.
Oh, and the workers most affected by heat? That would be the lowest paid workers, those leases able to afford time away from work…you know, the ones the work comp industry should be “advocating” for.
What does this mean for you?
Ignore science at your financial peril.
As Texas swelters, local rules requiring water breaks for construction workers will soon be nullified
https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/16/texas-heat-wave-water-break-construction-workers/
thanks for the note Sara.
Have to wonder when workers’ comp insurers will mandate water breaks, cooling shelters, and other risk management measures for policyholders.
Gotta love that proponents say the nullification of water break laws is okay because OSHA oversees worker safety…this from state legislators constantly screaming about Federal interference in state affairs.
Argh.
be well Joe